The principals of two schools in Moncton, New Brunswick, say they fear vandalism and having used needles and homeless people.
The community clean-up conducted each year by Saint-Bernadette school students and their families as part of Earth Day, April 22, was canceled on this occasion for fear that students would see used syringes or other hazardous waste, ”explains the director, Susanne Léger.
He said we have seen some dangers in recent years, whether it is used syringes or other things. A syringe was found recently on the sidewalk in front of the school.
Ms. also reports. Léger had problems with vandalism, broken windows and people sleeping in front of the doors. He said he has talked to municipal authorities about it.
Used syringes and homeless people sleeping and leaving rubbish are also problems for the English school in Hillcrestsaid its director Laura Small. The problems subsided in the winter, but they started again at the end of March when the emergency homeless shelter in the city center closed, he explained.
Too many syringes were recovered
The Moncton Ensemble, which offers a needle distribution program, is working with municipal authorities to set up boxes downtown where drug users can drop off their used needles.
The director of the organization, Debbie Warrenasserted that 90% to 95% of the syringes distributed were recovered.
He said people who tend to camp near a school leave needles and it’s confusing.
Surveillance near schools
The city of Moncton conducts surveillance near schools at night if possible. This makes law enforcement officers available when it comes to asking people to leave property where they shouldn’t.
According to fire chief Conrad Landry, the Municipality has given advice to schools to prevent people from going to these areas, for example by improving lighting and security. He says the RCMP makes more monitoring when it receives complaints.
Moncton uses the services of a private company to remove reported used syringes from public places.
The problem of drug use and homelessness is complex and the entire community must contribute to solving it, the fire chief added.
Long-term solutions are needed, such as more affordable housing and support services, Conrad Landry explains, but he acknowledges that it doesn’t help short-term children who find a used syringe in their playground.
With information fromAlexander Silbermanng CBC
Source: Radio-Canada
